Police minister confronted on Vic crime

A man has bailed up Police Minister Lisa Neville claiming nothing is being done about crime in Victoria and objecting to being labelled racist for taking part in a far-right rally.

Clad in a hi-vis singlet, the man repeatedly called the senior politician "mate" while pointing his finger at her in an uncomfortable exchange outside Melbourne's Federation Square on Friday.

Ms Neville had just finished a press conference about security ahead of the Australian Open when approached by the man, who objected to political commentary following the far-right rally at St Kilda beach last weekend.

"I don't appreciate us being called racists because we're sticking up for everyone," said the man, who was moved on by nearby officers after about three minutes.

"How is that inciting racism for calling it what it is?

"Next you'll be telling me about all the 'heil Hitlers' and stuff like that which didn't even happen, that was from the left side."

Convicted criminals and extremists Blair Cottrell and Neil Erikson organised last Saturday's rally at St Kilda, claiming to be protesting recent crime in the area by African youth.

The rally was attended by Queensland independent senator Fraser Anning who has used Nazi-associated term "final solution" in parliament and several men were photographed doing Nazi salutes there.

On Friday Ms Neville, standing alongside Assistant Police Commissioner Deb Abbott, kept her cool while telling the man he had the right to protest, but said Victoria Police were making headway with crime.

The man discredited her "fake stats".

"So all these people that I've spoke to that have had a gutful, I'm talking tens of thousands mind you, they've come out had their say and explained exactly what happened with the Sudanese and you can't call it for what it is?"

Crime was a major issue during last year's state election and the Liberal-National opposition lobbied heavily on law and order, saying it was out of control.

The Labor government was re-elected in a landslide win.

According to the latest crime statistics released in December, for the second consecutive year the overall crime rate has fallen, decreasing by 3.9 per cent to 7862 offences per 100,000 Victorians, the lowest rate since September 2014.